Volume 1, Issue 2
May 2004
Key Points in this Issue:
■ Clearly understand your Fluid’s
Bulk Operating Temperature and
Maximum Film Temperature.
■ Life of Heat Transfer Fluid is cut
in half by operating 18°F to 20°F
above maximum Bulk Temperature.
■ Life of Fluid can possibly be doubled
by operating 18°F to 20°F below
maximum Bulk Temperature.
■ 15 to 25% of Fluid degradation takes
place in the Film Temperature region.
Reducing flow of Heat Transfer Fluid
can overheat and degrade oil as it
surpasses Maximum Film Temperature.
■ MultiTherm® introduces new
Oxidation Resistant HTF with High
Flash Point and lower Vapor Pressure.
■ MultiTherm® introduces new
Economical HTF with High Flash
Point and lower Vapor Pressure
■ Remember to Conduct Annual Fluid
Analysis on your Heat Transfer fluid.
800-225-7440
www.multitherm.com
Bulk and Film Temperature Impact
on Heat Transfer Fluids
The transfer of heat is normally from a high temperature to a lower
temperature object. Typically, during normal operation, thermal fluid systems,
heat transfer takes place by all three means — Convection, Conduction, and
Radiation. The first by forced convection of the heating media by a circulating
pump. Convection is heat transfer by mass motion of the fluid when the
heated fluid is caused to move away from the source of heat, or heater,
carrying energy with it to the source it is targeting to heat. The second by
conduction of the heat from the heating fluid through the tube wall to the
media being heated. Finally, by radiation, from heat being emitted by the
tube wall that was heated by Heat Transfer Fluid to heat up the targeted media.
The flow rate of the Heat Transfer Fluid or media is used for determining the
highest temperature occurring in the heating system. This temperature
occurs in the heater. It is important to maintain a high flow rate by
convection inside the heating tube. This will reduce the difference between
the wall/tube Film Temperature and the Bulk Temperature of the Heat Transfer
Fluid while being able to maintain a high heat transfer film coefficient.
The maximum Bulk Temperature is the Heat Transfer Fluid’s highest average
temperature and will usually take place at the exit of the fluid heater.
Thermal degradation of the Heat Transfer Fluid will double for every 18°F
to 20°F increase in the Bulk Fluid Temperature. This could result in the Heat
Transfer Fluid’s life being cut in half by operating nearly 20°F above the
maximum rated Bulk Temperature. By lowering the temperature similar
degrees would cut the degradation rate of the fluid in half. Therefore, small
changes in temperature can have major impact on the Heat Transfer Fluid’s
life at elevated temperatures. It is very important to see why accurately
determining the thermal stability limit for a fluid is important, as well as
operating at the appropriate Bulk Temperature of the Heat Transfer Fluid.
Also, Film Temperature is an important aspect of the thermal degradation
rate of the Heat Transfer Fluid. Maximum Film Temperature is the highest
temperature a fluid experiences in the system. Maximum Film Temperature
normally is found adjacent to the tube wall at the heating surface, and
typically averages 50°F (10°C) higher than the Bulk Fluid Temperature.
Continued on page 2
 MultiTherm® Introduces
New Oxidation Resistant
Heat Transfer Oil
MultiTherm is offering the next generation
®
of Heat Transfer Fluid for our growing
base of Heat Transfer Fluid users.
MultiTherm OG-1® is a hydrocracked base
oil combined with the latest proprietary
oxidation inhibitor/stabilizer. MultiTherm
OG-1® was designed to meet the rising and
demanding requirements of open-system
liquid phase heat transfer requirements.
®
MultiTherm OG-1 offers the benefit of
excellent thermal conductivity at high
temperatures; low vapor pressure; and
high Flash Point. The Thermal Stability
from the oxidation resistant benefits reduces
efficiency robbing components such as
coke deposits and particulate build-up.
Finally, the longer oil life will mean less
maintenance; less process downtime, less oil
disposal and reduced environmental waste.
So, if you have an open-loop system or your
expansion tank is open to atmosphere then
MultiTherm OG-1® is the product for you.
Remember to Conduct Your
Annual Fluid Analysis
Develop a Preventive Maintenance
Program for your hot oil heater by annually
conducting a Fluid Analysis on your Heat
Transfer Fluid. MultiTherm TechTeam®
can assist you call 800-225-7440.
Newsletters are available via e-mail. If you would like
to receive them electronically, please contact us drop us an
e-mail at TechInfo@MultiTherm.com. Please include your
name, company, address, phone numbers and e-mail address.
3223 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA 19355
Phone: 610-408-8361 • Fax: 610-408-8365
Email: techinfo@multitherm.com
www.multitherm.com
Bulk and Film Temperature Impact
on Heat Transfer Fluids
Continued from page 1
In typical systems, between 15 to 25% of the total Heat Transfer Fluid
degradation takes place in the film region. Consider also, if the flow rate
of Heat Transfer Fluid decreases while the heat input remains constant,
both Film and Bulk Temperatures will increase. This also results in less
fluid mass being available to remove the heat transferred to the wall tubing.
And because the film coefficient is almost linear with velocity, the Film
Temperature will increase due to the decreased heat transfer efficiency.
This will result in thermal degradation of the Heat Transfer Fluid as it
reaches and surpasses the Film Temperature of the system.
In conclusion, it is important to understand the correct Bulk Operating
Temperature of your fluid, as well as its maximum Film Temperature.
Operating near or surpassing either condition can result in quicker
degradation of your Heat Transfer Fluid.
For additional technical support call the MultiTherm® TechTeam at 800-225-7440.
MultiTherm® Introduces
New Economical Heat Transfer Oil
MultiTherm® is offering a new economical alternative for Heat Transfer
Fluid users. MultiTherm IG-1® is a Group II highly refined, hydro treated
mineral oil designed primarily for use in closed heat transfer systems.
MultiTherm IG-1® is designed for use in operations closed-loop systems
that are equipped with expansion tanks, pressure relief valves and nitrogen
blanketing. In properly designed systems it provides trouble-free, long
lasting service to the end user.
MultiTherm IG-1® performs as an excellent Heat Transfer Fluid in numerous
markets looking for an economical alternative for their industrial manufacturing
processes. Common applications for MultiTherm IG-1®; heat transfer
equipment used in manufacturing asphalt shingles and roofing compounds,
road-paving equipment, die-casting industry, paper and particle board markets.
MultiTherm IG-1® offers the benefit of excellent thermal conductivity at high
temperatures; low vapor pressure; and high Flash Point as well as resist
thermal breakdown and long thermal life in closed loop systems.
If you are looking for an economical Heat Transfer Fluid, then you need to
consider MultiTherm IG-1®.
The MultiTherm LLC has been a leading supplier of efficient, non-hazardous Heat Transfer
Fluids since 1977. Within a temperature range of -170°F (-112°C) to 650°F (343°C), the
company can successfully and economically accommodate a customer’s heating or
cooling requirements however exacting they may be. Further, MultiTherm provides
troubleshooting help and a fluid analysis service to determine the physical and chemical
condition of the fluid.